Steps initiated to modernize police dept: DGPCorrespondent HAILAKANDI, May 1 – State Director General of Police Jayanta Narayan Choudhury recently visited Silchar and held discussions with the top police officials of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts of Barak Valley.

He visited the Sadar police station of Silchar along with the DIG (Southern Range), Vinod Kumar, Cachar Police Superintendent Diganta Bora and other top officials. He inspected lock-up, maalkhana, women’s cell, wireless centre, traffic branch, barrack of CRPF and police quarters located in the station. The officer-in-charge of the Sadar police station, Sachindra Sharma, informed the DGP regarding various problems faced by the station which included shortage of building, vehicles, police personnel, construction of separate building for women’s cell, etc. In reply, the DGP assured the Cachar Police that the problems will be considered according to priority. He praised the Cachar Police for their active role in curbing the illegal activities despite having numerous problems. The DGP admitted that the Cachar Police are facing extreme difficulties to sort out the juvenile cases due to non-availability of a State home and assured that the steps will be taken soon in this regard in consultation with the Social Welfare department.

Later talking to mediapersons, DGP Choudhury informed that the steps have been initiated to modernize the police department and it would definitely take time. He informed that he would visit all the police stations and outposts of the State and will take steps according to the need of the area. He, however, admitted that the poor infrastructure has definitely hampered the normal duty of police in Barak Valley and stressed the need of modernization and upgradation of infrastructure of all the police stations and outposts. He said that the steps to modernize the State police are being taken after about 25 years. He informed that he will submit the report to the State government for the increase of number of posts of police personnel at different levels and sanction of vehicles at the police stations of Barak valley. The DGP said that CCTV cameras will be installed at the main places of Silchar town to control illegal activities and informed that the police have started the process of installation of 400 CCTV cameras in Guwahati town and hoped that this will definitely check the criminal activities in the city.

Regarding the activities of Maoists in Cachar district, the DGP said that they have information that they are trying to set up a base in the valley and a few meetings have also been organised by the Maoists in Barak Valley and Manipur. He ruled out the allegation of having a base of Maoist supporters at Silchar’s Assam University and said that they are active in almost all the places of the country. He also informed that the Assam Police is ready to face any kind of activities of the Maoists. He reiterated that the rate of crime has been controlled in recent times in the State, particularly in regard to kidnappings, extortions, arson, dacoity, theft, etc.